[Editor’s note: The following contains major spoilers for the finale of The Hunting Party.]

The NBC crime thriller The Hunting Party showcases a dedicated team of investigators, spearheaded by former FBI profiler Bex Henderson (Melissa Roxburgh). This group is tasked with capturing the most dangerous serial killers who were once thought to be securely imprisoned or even deceased. However, a catastrophic event at the top-secret government facility known as the Pit, which was conducting experiments on these lethal individuals, leads to their escape. As Bex is called upon by her ex-FBI partner Oliver Odell (Nick Wechsler) to assist in recapturing these fugitives, they must also confront the personal issues that caused a rift in their relationship.

In the gripping “Jenna Wells” episode, the team focuses on tracking down the Killer Chemist, a cunning individual who employs poisoning as her modus operandi to eliminate unsuspecting victims. The season finale provides clarity regarding the true intentions behind the Pit and sheds light on its inner workings, while simultaneously raising new questions that will remain unanswered until a potential Season 2. This episode also places two team members in dangerous situations and rekindles unresolved feelings from their past.

In an exclusive interview with Collider, Roxburgh shared insights on what makes Jenna Wells a challenging antagonist, Bex’s opinion of Colonel Eve Lazarus (Kari Matchett), her passion for profiling, her interest in the team dynamic, and her anticipation for what Season 2 could reveal, including the necessity of monitoring everyone’s feet for possible identifiers.

Exploring Jenna Wells as an Astute Adversary in ‘The Hunting Party’ Finale

“The Nuanced Danger of Female Characters.”

Collider: We’re so conditioned to be aware of our surroundings around men that I thought it was particularly interesting to see how someone like Jenna Wells could slip under the radar of all these unsuspecting victims. Does that make her even scarier than some of the people that have been on the show up until now?

MELISSA ROXBURGH: Absolutely. I think Jenna is equally terrifying, but to your point, society often views women as nurturing, gentle, and trustworthy. While this perception applies to both genders, I believe women possess a sneakiness that can be even more dangerous, as exemplified by Eliza Coupe’s character, Jenna. She is manipulative and her darkness is particularly unsettling. In the opening scene, we are led to believe a woman is being roofied by a man, only to discover it’s actually Jenna. This emphasizes the need for vigilance with both genders when it comes to safety. As parents today, we must teach our children to be cautious, saying, “Don’t talk to strangers, whether they’re men or women.”

The finale marks the first opportunity for Bex to engage in a meaningful conversation with Lazarus, who has been privy to more information than anyone else throughout the season. What is Bex’s impression of her?

ROXBURGH: Bex feels a cautious trust towards her. Although their interaction has been limited, Bex is no fool; she remains observant. However, I sense there are many darker layers to Lazarus that have yet to be revealed.

When this series first came to your attention, what aspect captivated you and inspired you to join this storytelling endeavor?

ROXBURGH: I have always had a passion for profiling. As a teenager, I was deeply interested in interpreting body language and understanding the motivations behind people’s words and actions. The psychology of individuals has long fascinated me, prompting me to take several related courses at university. Although I initially considered pursuing this career path, I ultimately chose a different direction. The prospect of delving into the minds of history’s most notorious serial killers felt irresistibly thrilling.

Melissa Roxburgh Articulates Parallels Between ‘The Hunting Party’ and ‘Severance’

“The Intriguing Quest for Identity.”

How much insight did you possess regarding the overarching themes of this series? What were you aware of at the beginning of filming the season, and how has your understanding evolved since then?

ROXBURGH: I entered this project with limited knowledge, only aware that Bex would be profiling serial killers and that there was a secret government facility known as the Pit. However, the direction the writers took with the Pit storyline turned out to be exhilarating. The revelations towards the end showcase a complex narrative far beyond initial assumptions, hinting at an extensive conspiracy. These lingering questions, such as the true nature of the players involved and the morality of their actions, are what remain unanswered. It evokes a Severance-like quality, where the characters grapple with the purpose behind their roles and the intentions of those orchestrating events.

Considering Bex’s protective instincts towards Sam, would you like to see more of her role as a mother explored?

ROXBURGH: Definitely. Bex harbors hopes that Sam is safe at college, focusing on her studies, but I suspect that challenges await them in Season 2. I believe it’s crucial to further develop their dynamic. Bex’s nurturing nature and her commitment to being a mother significantly influence her effectiveness in her job, making it essential to emphasize this aspect.

James Whitmore, a wealthy character, creates a system he can manipulate for his own ends. How does Bex reconcile the fact that these criminals were subjected to such inhumane treatment? Although they are dangerous individuals, should they have been treated this way?

ROXBURGH: Absolutely. Each member of the team has a defined role within the system, and the show compels them to reconsider their positions. Even Jacob Hassani grapples with blindly following orders, while Shane, the soldier, faces his own struggles. All characters are forced to reevaluate their roles within the system. Bex serves as the moral compass of the series. Her exceptional profiling skills stem from her desire to find the humanity within these individuals. The realization of how much they have endured in terms of experimentation profoundly disturbs her. While she may not be in a position to halt these practices, it perpetuates her drive to uncover the truth behind the experiments and the individuals responsible for them.

While you weren’t present in the scene where numerous individuals collapse, how did that scene come together? Was it simply a group of background performers positioned on the floor? What was the filming experience like?

ROXBURGH: That was an overnight shoot. We arrived late at night, and the background actors were all sprawled on the floor in various uncomfortable positions. I felt for them; it must have been quite a challenge. Nevertheless, they were all great sports about it. This scene was monumental for us, as it marked a significant turning point in the series. Walking into that environment was quite shocking.

Given the high-stakes nature of each episode as the team pursues dangerous criminals, it was inevitable that one of the team members would face peril. How did you feel upon learning that it would be Hassani, and how did that impact Bex?

ROXBURGH: It wasn’t only Hassani who faced danger; we have [Odell] as well. This moment marks the first time we witness Bex’s genuine emotions. Although she previously expressed feelings for Odell, there was uncertainty about the authenticity of those emotions since she needed information from his phone. In this instance, we clearly see that she truly cares about Hassani, which is significant considering her initial mistrust of him. It illustrates the characters’ growth and their burgeoning reliance on one another. I have a great connection with Patrick [Sabongui], so seeing him hurt was genuinely upsetting. By the end of the episode, the uncertainty surrounding Odell’s fate leaves us all anxious. I truly hope he returns.

Melissa Roxburgh Reflects on the Emotional Toll of Bex’s Journey in ‘The Hunting Party’

“The Weight of Responsibility & Overwhelm.”

In that intense moment, Bex is faced with her own emotions. How did she navigate through that experience?

ROXBURGH: The day of filming was incredibly chaotic. By the time we reached that scene, we were around 15 hours into shooting, which mirrored the characters’ frantic experiences. Bex was running on empty, barely having time to collect herself, and then she learns that Jenna is heading to the command center. When the poisoning incident occurs, it overwhelms her. She has no moment to process the reality of the situation, leading to confusion and emotional disarray. It’s comparable to how, in real life, when something tragic occurs, it often takes time to fully grasp the implications.

As the finale unfolds, characters acquire fragments of crucial information, yet the complete story remains elusive. Bex becomes aware that Hassani’s wife has been deceased for two years, the doctor learns that Shane’s mother graduated from the Pit, and Morales discovers that Lazarus is Shane’s mother. What major questions do you hope to see addressed in a possible second season?

ROXBURGH: I am curious to learn how many individuals connected to the Lazarus lineage exist. If she is a graduate of the Pit, who else shares that background? Are they affiliated with the government, or are they living normal lives on the streets? Who are they and where can we find them? We are currently apprehending those still undergoing training or experimentation. However, since Lazarus completed the program and now has a job, which is highly unusual, I am keen to see how that storyline develops.

Will Bex be required to check everyone’s feet for barcodes now?

ROXBURGH: She might just head to the beach, where everyone wears flip-flops, and conduct a casual scan.

The Hunting Party is available for viewing on NBC and can be streamed on Peacock. Don’t miss out on watching the trailer: